Kicking off the countdown is.....
#10 DREW STAFFORD - BUFFALO SABRES (Drafted 13th overall, 2004)
Although it is uncertain as to whether Stafford will end up with the Sabres t
his season, we think his skill will follow him wherever he ends up playing. The Sabres are still in the process of negotiations with the Milwaukee native, as he is currently a Restricted Free Agent. If the Sabres were smart, they would find a way to sign Stafford, before they start receiving offer sheets from teams that are in the market for a skilled top-6 forward (particularly from teams like the lowly Leafs, Kings, or Panthers). Before last year, Stafford divided his time between the Sabres and the AHL's Rochester Americans, but has started to make a name for himself in Buffalo. Last season, he eclipsed the 20 goal plateau for the first time, ammassing 45 points in 79 games. This year, let's see if he can get up to that 55-60 point mark.#9 CHRIS KUNITZ - PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (Undrafted)
Last year at this time we were talking about Kunitz in the SK-born player
s to watch segment, and he didn't disappoint. Traded just before the trade deadline to the Pittsburgh Penguins for defenseman Ryan Whitney, Kunitz helped the Penguins all the way to the Stanley Cup Final, defeating the Red Wings in 7 games to capture his 2nd stanley cup in 3 years. Once traded to the Pens, Kunitz nearly tallied a point in each of his 20 final regular season games, totalling 53 points for the season (by the way, we predicted a 50-60 point total), and added 14 points in the Pens' Stanley Cup run. Expected to contribute on the top 2 lines, probably more-so with Sidney Crosby, we can expect this point total to go up this year. +65? We think so.#8 DERRICK BRASSARD - COLUMBUS BLUEJACKETS (Drafted 6th overall, 2006)
Like we said before, the Blue Jackets seem like they are finally understanding how to develop their young prospects and make wise decisions at the draft. Brassard is a qu
ick, very skilled forward who adds a lot of young talent to a very young team. Last season, before Brassard went down to injury early in the year, he totalled 25 points in 31 games, on his way to Calder Trophy contention. If he was healthy, he could have put up 60 points. After sitting on the sidelines, watching his squad make history in making the playoffs for the first time, we're willing to bet that he would like to be a part of the action this season, and will be a nice scoring complement on a line with superstar Rick Nash. Let's say 55 points for Derrick Brassard.#7 BOBBY RYAN - ANAHEIM DUCKS (Drafted 2nd overall, 2005)
57 points in 64 games last season? Definitely a rookie campaign to
remember. Ryan played his first few games in the league one year prior to last year, but even then he produced well for the team. Ryan is expected to begin the season on the top line with forwards Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf, making this one of the most dangerous front 3 in the league. For the guy who was drafted 1 spot after Sidney Crosby, he's definitely starting to make a name for himself in Anaheim, and with a 31-goal rookie season, it's not crazy to think that Bobby Ryan could have a 40-goal year, could it? Expect this youngster from Cherry Hill, NJ to go between 65-70 points this year, with the possibility of eclipsing 35-40 goals.#6 DEVIN SETOGUCHI - SAN JOSE SHARKS (Drafted 8th overall, 2005)
A solid 35 goal scorer in Junior hockey between the Saskatoon Blades and
Prince George Cougars, Setoguchi has translated this talent into the NHL, after amassing the 30 goal and 60 point mark for the year With the possibility that The Sharks may be shipping away SK-born Patrick Marleau, the club may get to see this young star produce with the likes of say...Dany Heatley? Although Heatley has lost our respect in the last couple months, seeing him, Setoguchi, and Joe Thornton play together could be a treat to many. Let's watch Setoguchi to notch 75 points this season.#5 SAM GAGNER - EDMONTON OILERS (Drafted 6th overall, 2007)
Easily the youngest of this group of players, Sam Gagner is entering his 3rd yea
r in the league and won't even be legal to drink in the United States until next Summer! This season should be the bounce-back season that Gagner needs after being bitten a bit by the sophomore jinx. Both seasons were similar in numbers, but Gagner it is time that Gagner needs to produce the way we all know he can. Most likely headlining the 2nd line or making the jump to the #1 line with Shawn Horcoff and Ales Hemsky, we can see Gagner tallying between 60 and 65 points this season, leading the team in goals. He is the type of diverse player that can be plugged into many lines, despite his small size, as he has proven to work well with Andrew Cogliano, Dustin Penner, Robert Nilsson, and Patrick O'Sullivan as well.#4 PHIL KESSEL - BOSTON BRUINS (Drafted 5th overall, 2006)
It is unknown at this time whether we will see Kessel in a Bruins unifor
m this season. Recently, the young American star has made headlines for the interest he has been generating from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Kessel has been linked to rumors with the Leafs ever since the club was rumored to be shopping around defenseman Tomas Kaberle. This could be the best or worst thing for Kessel. In Boston, he is not dependent on generating all of the scoring, while in Toronto he will be relied on much more. Perhaps the new change of scenery could spark this young forward to generate points in the 70-80 range, after a 60 point season in 2008-2009 (which we predicted right on the money by the way)#3 PAUL STASTNY - COLORADO AVALANCHE (Drafted 44th overall, 2005)
Paul Stastny was born in Quebec City, but has dual citizenship, and has cho
sen to play for the United States on the world stage. One of the only reasons why Stastny wasn't chosen as the Calder Trophy recipient with 78 points was that he was up against Evgeni Malkin, so it is understandable. Since then, Stastny's last 2 years have been stricken with injuries, forcing him to miss more than 50 games. When healthy, we could see Stastny help bring back the Avalanche to playoff contention after a rocky year. 80 points? Sure, if he remains healthy.#2 JONATHAN TOEWS - CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (Drafted 3rd overall, 2006)
It seems very fitting that Jonathan Toews is the captain of this team now, because he will be relied on to lead this team through the good and bad for years to come. T
oews was one player, along with teammate Patrick Kane who were not bitten by the sophomore jinx, and tallied 69 points last season to help his squad to a Western Final birth. What could he do next year? We are thinking around the 80 point plateau. The funny thing about the Hawks is that if they do not win the Stanley Cup this year, the entire season was a disappointment, and it is tough to say when they will be back in the same position in a while. Poor management decisions, showcased by the signing of Marian Hossa to a mammoth 12 year contract spark questions as to whether the club can afford both young superstars Kane and Toews next summer when they become restricted free agents. We believe Toews needs to stay to make this team a contender.#1 BRYAN LITTLE - ATLANTA THRASHERS - (Drafted 12th overall, 2006)
Last season was Bryan Little's first full season in the NHL with the Trashers,
and he is definitely on the radar now. He is a solid forward and has proved that this Thrashers team have secondary scoring behind Ilya Kovalchuk. Little scored 31 goals last year, which is definitely a step up from the 6 he scored in a previous stint with the club. This young Thrashers team is on the rise, and with prospects like Zach Bogosian, Evander Kane, Angelo Esposito, and Regina's Riley Holzapfel, we may see this squad back in the playoffs soon. Expect Little to generate 75 points this season.HONOURABLE MENTION:
1. RENE BOURQUE - CALGARY FLAMES
2. MATTHEW LOMBARDI - PHOENIX COYOTES (For now?)
3. MATT D'AGOSTINI - MONTREAL CANADIENS
PP
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